Illinois UPS Driver Injury Lawyer

United Parcel Service (UPS) has hundreds of thousands of employees here in the United States, many of whom work right here in Illinois. If you are one of those UPS workers then you know how difficult and thankless your job often seems. UPS employees are frequently pushed to their limits–especially during peak shipping seasons–and not surprisingly, they commonly suffer work-related injuries.

Just about everyone who is injured on the job is eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. In some cases, an injured employee may also have a viable personal injury claim against a third party. The experienced Illinois UPS driver injury lawyer at Connolly Injury Law can review your case and advise you of your options.

The Difference Between No-Fault and Personal Injury Claims Following a Work-Related Accident

Workers’ compensation covers just about any injury that occurs within the scope of employment. For a UPS driver, this means that if you are injured in a car accident while making a delivery, workers’ comp protects you. Similarly, workers’ comp covers employees who sustain injuries while loading trucks, moving shipments around the warehouse, or simply slip and fall while walking through a UPS office.

Workers’ comp is also a “no-fault” system. This means neither the employer nor the employee have to admit or accept blame. UPS cannot refuse to pay workers’ comp because they think you acted recklessly and caused your own injury. Likewise, you normally cannot file a personal injury lawsuit against UPS unless the company violates the law.

You can, however, sue a third party that is not related to UPS. This often comes up in the context of a traffic accident. For example, if you are driving a UPS truck and are hit by a drunk driver, workers’ compensation does not prevent you from taking legal action against the driver (or their insurance company).

Even when there is no third-party liability, it is still in your best interest to work with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney when pursuing a claim for benefits. Large employers like UPS often count on the fact their employees do not understand the system to push low settlement offers for potentially large claims. Indeed, if you are missing time from work, you are more likely to accept any offer that provides you with some cash upfront. But this is often against your long-term interests. Having a skilled attorney by your side is often enough to convince a company like UPS to play fairly.

Contact Connolly Injury Law Today

Workers’ compensation can pay for your medical bills and replace most of your lost wages following a workplace accident. In cases involving serious injuries you may even be entitled to permanent benefits. Unfortunately, the process does not always go smoothly, especially when dealing with UPS or any large, sophisticated company. You can help level the playing field by retaining a knowledgeable Illinois UPS driver injury/workers comp lawyer. Contact the Connolly Law Firm today to schedule a free initial consultation.